EARTH DAY

22 April 2016

By Ladybird Environmental Consulting LLP

What is Earth Day?

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One of the most widely celebrated environmental events across the globe

To increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment

Celebrated in more than 192 countries each year

Originally celebrated at Spring Equinox around 21 March

But now the United Nations has designated 22 April as the International Mother Earth Day.

Earth Day Network coordinates this annual day across the globe.

Why Celebrate Earth Day?

About appreciating the uniqueness of our planet Earth with its incredible biodiversity.

Various national and international activities are conducted to understand the biodiversity and how should we protect our nature – plants, animals and environment.

Earth Day is a day dedicated to increasing awareness about the Earth, its issues and problems.

Today, more than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

Various policy agreements and acts are sanctioned such as Clear Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many others.

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Theme Of 2016 : Trees For The Earth

GOAL planting 7.8 billion trees over next five

years

Fight climate change and pollution

Reduce CO2 emissions

Help counteract loss of species

Help communities and livelihood

CAUSE – planet losing over 15 billion trees every year to deforestation, land development and bad forest management

FOCUS – on areas affected by deforestation

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Importance and Value of Trees

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Trees: Community and Social Value

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Important part of every community

Streets, parks, playgrounds – create peaceful,

aesthetic and pleasing environment

Increase the quality of life by bringing natural

elements and wildlife habitats

Trees: Community and Social Value

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Cool Shade

Old trees serve as historic landmarks – great source

of town pride

Trees reduce the heat island effect in cities

Trees : Ecological and Environmental Value

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Provide oxygen, improve air quality

Conserve water

Preserve soil

Support wildlife

One acre of forest absorb 6 tonnes of CO2

and gives out 4 tonnesof O2

Trees, shrubs and turf filter air by removing dust and absorbing other pollutants like CO, SO2 , NO2

Trees : Ecological and Environmental Value

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Control climate change by

moderating the effects of sun,

rain and wind

Leaves absorb and filter sun’s

radiation – keep cool in

summer

Preserve warmth by providing

screen from harsh wind

Shield us from downfall of

rain, sleet and hail

Lower air temperature and

reduce intensity of

greenhouse effect

Trees : Ecological and Environmental

Value

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Holds soil in place and fight erosion

Absorbs and stores rainwater

Reduce runoff and sediment deposit after storms.

Helps the ground water supply recharge, prevents the transport of chemicals into streams and prevents flooding.

Fallen leaves make excellent compost that enriches soil.

Trees : Association with Wildlife

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Herbivores – dependent on leaves for nourishment

Monkeys and other animals –feed on fruits

Birds , bats and insects – feed on flowers for nectar

Help in dispersing seed

Home to hundreds of living creatures

Branch of tree – protection to birds and squirrels from predators

Trees : Personal and Spiritual Value

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We like trees – Beautiful and majestic

Different species – variety of shapes, forms, textures and vibrant colors

Individual trees vary appearance throughout the year

Strength, long lifespan and regal stature of trees give them a monument-like quality

Presence of trees - pleasant, relaxed, comfortable feeling

Many people plant trees as living memorials of life-changing events.

Contd.

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Help record the history of your family as they grow and develop alongside you and your kids

Often make an emotional connection with trees we plant or become personally attached to the ones that we see every day

Strong bonds are evidenced by the hundreds of groups and organizations across the country that go to great lengths to protect and save particularly large or historic trees from the dangers of modern development.

Many of your childhood memories include the trees in your backyard or old neighborhood

Sentimental value of a special tree is simply immeasurable.

Trees : Practical and Commercial Value

Support and sustain life throughout our

existence.

Have a wide variety of practical and

commercial uses.

Wood was the very first fuel, and is still used

for cooking and heating by about half of the

world's population.

Provide timber for building construction,

furniture manufacture, tools, sporting

equipment, and thousands of household

items.

Wood pulp is used to make paper.

Bark of some trees can be made into cork

and is a source of chemicals and medicines

Quinine and aspirin are both made from bark

extracts.

Inner bark of some trees contains latex, the

main ingredient of rubber.13

Top 22 Benefits of Trees

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Trees combat climate change

Trees clean the air

Trees provide oxygen

Trees cool the streets and the city

Trees conserve energy

Trees save water

Trees help prevent water pollution

Trees help prevent soil erosion

Top 22 Benefits of Trees

Trees shield children from ultra-violet rays

Trees provide food

Trees as landmarks can give a neighborhood a new identity and encourage civic pride.

Trees provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife

Trees block things

Trees provide wood

Trees increase property values

Trees increase business traffic15

Top 22 Benefits of Trees

Trees heal

Trees reduce violence

Trees mark the seasons

Trees create economic

opportunities

Trees are teachers and playmates

Trees bring diverse groups of

people together

Trees add unity

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15 Ideas And Ways To Celebrate Mother Nature

And Become An Environmental Steward

1. Start a pledge board at work or at school.

2. Attend an Earth Day fair.

3. Get plugged into a group.

4. Make a recycling plan.

5. Fix those leaky faucets.

6. Plant a tree.

7. Find a carpool service.

8. Give up bottled water.

9. Start buying local.

10. Go paperless.

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Contd..

11. Make a birdhouse.

12. Make a play garden.

13. Write a letter to your local representative.

14. Organize a community cleanup.

15. Walk to school.

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State Flower of Maharashtra

Lagerstroemia speciosa - Queens Flower (Jarul)

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Small – Medium sized tree

Height up to 20mts

Leaves – oval to elliptic

Flowers produced in erect

panicles

Each flower with 6 white to

purple petals

Flowering season - Summer

State Fruit of Maharashtra

Mangifera indica- Mango (Amba)

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Large fruit tree

Height & crown width of upto100mts

Leaves –elliptic

Dense cluster of flowers

Fruit oval in shape

Flowering season – December to March

Fruiting season – May to September

Learn About Urban Trees with

iTrees Mobile App

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CONTACT US

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LADYBIRD ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING LLP

Shop 4., Ambika Heritage, Plot 1, Sector 1,

Station Road, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai- 410210

Office Timing: 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. ( Mon-Fri)

Mobile: 9987013144

www.ladybirdconsulting.co.in

www.inaturewatch.org

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